NST: Las Cruces preview

Rilat looks to build upon second place finish
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- When Travis Rilat joins the other National
Sprint Tour drivers Saturday at Southern New Mexico Speedway, he will be
about 700 miles from home.
For the driver from ...

Rilat looks to build upon second place finish

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- When Travis Rilat joins the other National
Sprint Tour drivers Saturday at Southern New Mexico Speedway, he will be
about 700 miles from home.

For the driver from Fourney, Texas, that practically makes the Las
Cruces a home track.

"We're a long way from anywhere," said the 29-year-old driver of
No. 29. "We're closer than some guys will be. I started racing in Dwarf
cars when I was 16, and I was going out to Phoenix and other places. Ever
since I've been racing, I've been traveling.

"It feels like it's a pretty close track," Rilat added of having
to travel 'only' 700 miles. "It's pretty good when you can race
closer to home."

The relatively close distance by itself would be enough to make Rilat
upbeat for Saturday's NST show. Making things better is the fact he's
coming off a second place run in the last NST race Sept. 26 in
Putnamville, Indiana.

"We're looking forward to every week," Rilat said. "Every race is
a new journey. It feels pretty good getting a second. It definitely gives
our team a boost of confidence and extra morale. It's the same for the
driver and the crew. We know we can race with these guys.

"We've known we could run up front," Rilat added. "At least you
convince yourself you can. You tell yourself you can do it. Now, we have
finally done it. We have proven we should be a car to contend with out
there."

Rilat started competing with NST drivers such as Danny Lasoski, Steve
Kinser, Tim Kaeding, Jason Meyers and others this summer. He feels like
he's found a home.

"Oh for sure," Rilat said. "Those guys are a good group of guys to
race with. It's a big family. Everyone has accepted us. It's been some
of the best times we've had in racing. Everyone gets along, and works
together."

Regardless of how he finishes, Rilat attracts fan afterwards --
especially the young ones. They don't necessarily come down to see the
driver. Rather, they are attracted by the Tweety Bird with the checkered
flag on the top wing.

"Fred and Jo Threatt are the car owners," Rilat explained. "Jo is
a Tweety Bird fan. They've had Sprint cars for 15 or 16 years, and
there's always been Tweety Bird on the car. 'Tweetjo' is Jo's license
plate."

Rilat has been driving for the Threatts for four years now, and likes
the mascot riding on top of him.

"It seems like every night we have people bring their kids down to
our car, just because of the Tweety Bird," Rilat said. "They all come
down to see Tweety."

Is it tough playing second fiddle to a cartoon character?

"As long as we can create some interest, I don't mind," Rilat said
with a laugh.

Saturday's race is a make-up date from March, when the second night
of a doubleheader was postponed due to high wind. Tickets already
purchased for the March 11 date will be honored Saturday. Tickets for the
race are $35, with children under the age of 8 admitted free. For
information, call the track at 800-658-9650.

Gates open at 5 p.m. on the Saturday, with racing scheduled for
around 7.

The night before, the Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico
will be hosting the National Sprint Tour Gala. The reception begins at 6
p.m. on Oct. 6 and goes until 11 p.m. There will be live and silent
auctions to benefit the Unser Racing Museum College Fund.

NST drivers such as Rilat will be in attendance as well as Al Unser
Sr. and Johnny Herrera. Herrera, Unser, Al Unser Jr., NST team owner Tony
Stewart and the NST drivers have donated items for the auctions. Tickets
are $50 and are available by calling 505-341-1776 or by e-mailing
carla@unserracingmuseum.com.

For more information on the Southern New Mexico Speedway, visit
www.snmspeedway.com. For more information on the NST, visit
www.nationalsprinttour.com.